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Why is Infertility Rising?

Fifty million couples worldwide can’t have children without medical help. So, what is going on?

As the world’s population continues to rise, the numbers of children born per woman is still falling. Worldwide there’s now around 2.49 live births per woman, not far above replacement rate. Many couples are choosing to have smaller families and contraception is helping. But meanwhile, infertility in both men and women, in rich and poorer countries, is increasing. Fifty million couples worldwide cannot have children without medical help. So, what is going on? Celia Hatton and a panel of expert guests discuss why so many men and women are struggling to have children. Are they simply leaving it too late or are other factors, such as diet or pollution, having an effect?

(Photo: Couple in consultation with a doctor. Credit: BSIP/UIG/Getty Images)

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Sat 3 Nov 2018 04:06GMT

Contributors:

Dr Geeta Nargund - Medical director of CREATE Fertility, a clinic specialising in IVF, London

Dr Channa Jayasena - Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital, London

Dr Kemi Ailoje - Reproductive Endocrinologist and founder of the Lifelink Fertility Clinic, Lagos

Natalie Silverman - Founder of The Fertility Podcast, Manchester

Also featuring:

Kelly Da Silva - Founder of the Dovecote Childless Support Organisation

Broadcasts

  • Fri 2 Nov 2018 09:06GMT
  • Sat 3 Nov 2018 00:06GMT
  • Sat 3 Nov 2018 04:06GMT

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